Tom Clancy

Tom Clancy (April 12, 1947 – October 1, 2013) was an American author, most famous for his military-action and espionage thrillers, which usually feature the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other US government agencies. His books have sold over 100 million copies worldwide, making him one of the most successful authors of all time.

Clancy was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and grew up as an avid reader of spy novels, later enrolling in the Loyola College in Maryland to study economics, the only formal education he would receive. After graduating in 1969, he began working for an insurance company, eventually becoming an computer programmer. During this time, he wrote his first novel, "The Hunt for Red October," which drew its inspiration from the change in command of the Soviet Union in 1985.

The novel was a huge success, with the first run selling out in just two days, and eventually becoming the basis for a popular film of the same name. Following its success, Clancy wrote a narrative sequence of books featuring CIA agent Jack Ryan, including “Patriot Games” (1987), “Clear and Present Danger” (1989), and “The Sum of All Fears” (1991). These novels were also adapted into popular films, with Harrison Ford playing the lead role in two of the movies.

Clancy continued to publish works in the Jack Ryan universe, with his most recent book in the series being “Command Authority” (2013). However, he also branched out and wrote a number of standalone books and short stories, including "Without Remorse" (1993) and "Rainbow Six" (1998). He also collaborated with fellow writers to produce books such as "Op-Center" (1995), "Net Force" (1999), "Power Plays" (2001), and "Splinter Cell" (2004).

Many of Clancy’s works were well-received by the public, selling millions of copies worldwide and being adapted into successful films. His writing style was praised for its realism and technical accuracy, with critics describing him as “the master of the techno-thriller.” In addition, Clancy was a co-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team from 1993-2003, and was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2016.

Despite his success, Clancy also drew criticism from some quarters, with some critics accusing him of glorifying violence in his novels. Nonetheless, he remains one of the most successful authors in history, with his works continuing to bring in millions of readers worldwide. Tom Clancy is a prime example of an author who took an interest in a hobby and was able to turn it into a career that would span the entire world.